For Joel, The Shows Must Go On

ENTERTAINMENT OVERNIGHT

Despite Troubles, Singer To Keep Concert Dates, Tour With John

April 15, 1994|By DEBORAH WILKER Music Writer

Too pooped to pop? Not Billy Joel. Despite an exacting two weeks - during which his wife, Christie Brinkley, survived a helicopter crash and the pair acknowledged their nine-year marriage is ending - the pop superstar is playing all concerts as scheduled.

That includes shows tonight and Saturday at the Miami Arena, as well as a big summer stadium tour with fellow piano man Elton John, which is headed for Orlando.

"Billy is absolutely performing," Joel's New York spokeswoman said on Thursday, squelching chatter that Joel might be too despondent to go on. "Anything to the contrary is ridiculous."

Brinkley and Joel had been separated since November, but kept the matter private until Wednesday. The couple issued a brief statement saying the split is amicable. Both said they have a "great affection and respect" for one another.

Brinkley survived a mountainside helicopter crash during a Colorado ski expedition with friends. Joel was not with her.

Joel is also making headlines because of his new partnership ... with Elton John.

Ticket sales for their soon-to-come stadium tour broke all New York box office records last weekend. The more than $10 million in sales to four shows at Giants Stadium was "the biggest one-day sale in New York history," Ticketmaster executive Fred Rosen said.

Though the John-Joel tour was also expected in Miami this summer, it now looks to be stopping only as far south as Orlando.

Tickets to their Aug. 21 "Face to Face" concert at the Orlando Citrus Bowl will go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets (and by phone) statewide. Tickets are $46, with a limited number of "gold circle" seats at $85. There is a limit of eight tickets per customer.

The evening will feature separate sets by the Piano Men with a joint finale.

Joel has long been a fan of John, and often performs the Rocket Man's songs in concert and during pre-show sound checks. They are reportedly cooking up a novel segment during which each will perform the other's big hits.

As for Joel's Miami shows, tickets are available for Saturday. Tonight's gig is sold out. Promoters dubbed these two Miami shows "encores" after Joel sold out four Miami Arena concerts in February.